Toll-free calling account recharge system and method

Abstract

A calling account recharge system, method, and device are provided. The device has an associated stored-value calling account, and typically includes a selector, a communications program configured to communicate with a recharge service via a communication network, and a recharge option selectable by a user upon actuation of the selector. The recharge option is configured to cause the communications program to initiate a recharge transaction with the recharge service via the communication network, in order to add calling units to the stored-value calling account. The device may be configured to access the communication network via a toll-free gateway.

1. A wireless telephone device having an associated stored-value account, the wireless telephone device comprising:
 a selector; 
 a communications program configured to communicate with a recharge service via a communication network; and 
 a recharge option selectable by a user upon actuation of the selector, the recharge option being configured to cause the communications program to contact a recharge server of the recharge service and add a recharge amount to the stored-value account and to initiate both a connection to the communication network and a recharge transaction with the recharge service via the communication network, in order to add calling units to the stored-value account. 
 
   
   
     2. The wireless telephone device of  claim 1 , wherein the recharge server is a web server, the communications program includes a web browser, the recharge option is a link to the web server of the recharge service, and wherein selection of the link causes the web browser to download a recharge web site for display on the wireless telephone device. 
   
   
     3. The wireless telephone device of  claim 1 , wherein the recharge amount is a user-selectable recharge amount. 
   
   
     4. The wireless telephone device of  claim 1 , wherein the recharge amount is added to the account without further user input. 
   
   
     5. The wireless telephone device of  claim 1 , wherein the communications program includes a telephone communications program and the communication network includes the PSTN, and wherein selection of the recharge option is configured to cause the telephone communications program to initiate a telephone call to an Integrated Voice Response system at the recharge service. 
   
   
     6. The telephone device of  claim 1 , wherein the communications program includes a telephone communications program and the communication network includes the PSTN, and wherein selection of the recharge option is configured to cause the telephone communications program to initiate a telephone call to a live customer service representative at the recharge service. 
   
   
     7. The wireless telephone device of  claim 1 , wherein the selector is a key, a soft key, a hard key, an icon on a touch screen or a voice command. 
   
   
     8. The wireless telephone device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a low-balance indicator configured to indicate to the user that the account balance of the stored-value account has dropped below a predetermined threshold. 
 
   
   
     9. The wireless telephone device of  claim 1 , wherein the recharge option is selectable by at most one touch by the user, from a top menu of the wireless telephone device. 
   
   
     10. A method of recharging a stored-value account, comprising:
 installing a recharge option in a wireless telephone device, the recharge option being configured to initiate a recharge transaction, in order to add calling units to a stored-value account associated with the wireless telephone device; 
 displaying the recharge option on the wireless telephone device; 
 receiving a user selection of the recharge option; and 
 in response to the received user selection of the recharge option, contacting a recharge server of a recharge service and adding a recharge amount to the stored-value account and both establishing a connection to a communication network and initiating the recharge transaction. 
 
   
   
     11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 detecting that a balance of the stored-value account associated with the wireless telephone device is below a predetermined amount. 
 
   
   
     12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the recharge option is displayed as a menu option on a display of the wireless telephone device, is displayed as an icon, is made by selection of a key. 
   
   
     13. The method of  claim 10 , wherein, from a top menu of the wireless telephone device, the recharge option is configured to be selected by at most one touch of a key by a user. 
   
   
     14. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the wireless telephone device includes a web browser, the method further comprising:
 downloading a recharge web site from the recharge service, and displaying the web site on the wireless telephone. 
 
   
   
     15. The method of  claim 10 , the method further comprising:
 receiving user selection of the recharge amount. 
 
   
   
     16. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiving information relating to a payment account for paying for the user-selected recharge option; and 
 applying fraud detection measures in association with the payment account. 
 
   
   
     17. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising, processing the recharge transaction and adding units to the stored value account. 
   
   
     18. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the recharge option is a telephone link to the recharge service, and establishing a connection includes calling an Integrated Voice Response system at the recharge service via a PSTN. 
   
   
     19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the recharge option is a telephone link to a live customer service representative at the recharge service. 
   
   
     20. A pre-paid wireless telephone recharge system, comprising:
 a recharge server connected to a communication network, the recharge server being configured to perform a recharge transaction on a stored-value account; and 
 a web-enabled wireless telephone device having a recharge option installed thereon, the recharge option being selectable by a user upon actuation of a user input device on the wireless telephone device, the recharge option further being configured to cause a communication program on the wireless telephone device to initiate both a connection to the communication network and a recharge transaction with the recharge server via the communication network, in order to add units to the stored-value account. 
 
   
   
     21. The system of  claim 20 , wherein, from a top menu of the wireless telephone device, the recharge option configured to be selectable by a user of the wireless telephone device by at most one touch of a user input device of the wireless telephone device. 
   
   
     22. The system of  claim 20 , wherein the communication network includes a WAN, and the communication program includes a web browser, and wherein upon selection of the recharge option, the web browser is configured to download a recharge web site from a recharge server at the recharge service. 
   
   
     23. The system of  claim 20 , wherein the communication network includes a PSTN, and the communication program includes a telephone communications program, and wherein upon selection of the recharge option, the telephone communications program is configured to place a telephone call to the recharge service. 
   
   
     24. A method for use in a wireless telephone device having a display, the method comprising:
 storing in the device while the device is not in communication with a recharge service, a balance of a stored value account; 
 detecting that the stored balance is lower than a predetermined threshold; and 
 presenting a recharge option on a display of the device, the recharge option being configured to be selected by a user; and 
 initiating, by said recharge option when selected, both a connection to a communication network and a recharge transaction, in order to add units to the stored value account.